Remember Me (2010)

Updated on February 22, 2011

Time We Share Together Is Often Very Special

Have you ever seen a movie that you thought to yourself wasn't going to be that good, and it turns out to be something completely different than what you expected? Has a film ever surpassed your expectations, to where it turns out to be surprisingly better than you ever could have expected it to be? Yeah, let's just say that sums up my entire thoughts on Robert Pattinson's film, "Remember Me."

The film is essentially about a young man, Tyler (Robert Pattinson), who's life is basically going nowhere. Unsure of what he really wants out of life with a need to rebel against his neglectful father, who prefers work over the time and comfort of family, yet isn't sure how. In a way, it kind of reminds me a lot of how Dustin Hoffman approached his role in the classic film, "The Graduate", when he played a young man unsure about his future with the need to rebel, but wasn't exactly sure how. Needless to say, Robert Pattinson's performance in this movie reminded me a lot of Hoffman's in "The Graduate." Don't get me wrong, I would never dare try to compare Robert Pattinson to any iconic actor, after seeing his lack luster performances in the "Twilight" movies. However, his performance in "Remember Me" actually shows a lot more promise, as it seems he's actually capable of acting after all. Maybe I had him pegged wrong all along, as it was probably the poor screen writing of the "Twilight" films that kept me from noticing how good of an actor Robert could be. In fact, his performance along with the chemistry between him and Emilie De Ravin (Ally) was probably one of best facets about "Remember Me."

Although I know some of you reading this are probably thinking that I'm reviewing some dramatic love story, but you'd be wrong. This is by no means a love story. No, this is about the tragedy of life. About how precious life can truly be, and how everything that happens to us is by chance. For example, if a boy meets a girl, there's no guarantee the girl and boy will like each other. Nor is there any guarantee that things will always work out. And most of all, there's never any guarantee how long we'll live in this world. As any one of us could die any minute. A meteor could crash land into your house and kill you while your watching T.V. You might even be waiting for your father in an office building, before it explodes. Nothing is ever certain in this world. However, what is always certain though, it's that the moments we make in life are often what people will remember us by. Memories of someone you love may not always be perfect, and we may end up regretting a lot of the conflicts we've had over the years. However, that's why life is so special, as any one of us could go at a moments notice....without ever saying goodbye. That's why the relationships we have now in this sad and cruel world is important to all of us. That's what makes life special, and any relationship worth while. Such is the case for "Remember Me."

I'll admit the love story feels a bit cliche and comes off as a bit predictable at times, but it has a lot of heart. As both characters suffer from severe father issues, and both struggling to define who they are and what they want out of life. It's almost amazing on how much chemistry these two characters share, and how much they have in common despite growing up from different backgrounds. One growing up under the reign of a neglectful father, who wouldn't know how to show love to his children if his life depended on it. While the other has a severe over protective father, who practically runs her life. Indeed, both of them have their own issues, but that's what makes the story so great. As it plays off the concept of chance encounters and events. Nothing in life is ever certain. The girl of your dreams might very well be the same girl in class that you never bothered talking to. Or that the last argument with your loved ones, could be the last conversation you ever have with them before they die. Indeed, nothing in life is ever certain. Something that "Remember Me" plays on perfectly.

As I said earlier, "Remember Me" isn't exactly perfect because it's highly predictable throughout most of the film, with the notable exception of it's twist ending. Something I won't spoil for the rest of you, but it's definitely going to surprise a few people...maybe even anger them over it's controversial subject matter. However, that still doesn't divert how well executed the rest of the movie was. Robert Pattinson proves that underneath his stale "Twilight" performances, beats the heart of a true actor. An actor who just seems to need a decent script and director to work with. It's a shame he can't act this well in any of the "Twilight" films this way. Otherwise, I might become a fan myself, but I guess he's more of a Nicolas Cage type of actor. If you give him a great script to work with, he'll impress you. If you give him a bad one, he'll become the worst actor imaginable. All I can say is, "Remember Me" is definitely one of the better films of this year. Why I waited so long to review this movie, I'll never know for sure. I'm just glad I had the pleasure of seeing it. "Remember Me" is definitely a thought provoking powerful story about life, and how precious every moment in our lives truly is.